Question 1

What is the closest backpacking trip to Porterville?

Accepted Answer

Timber Gap Trail is the closest documented trip to Porterville at roughly 36 miles (about 40 minutes of driving) from the Cold Springs Trailhead (Mineral King) trailhead.

Question 2

Do I need a permit to backpack near Porterville?

Accepted Answer

Many routes near Porterville, including Timber Gap Trail, require a wilderness permit from Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (NPS). Always check the managing agency before you go.

Question 3

When is the best season to backpack near Porterville?

Accepted Answer

For Timber Gap Trail — the closest trip to Porterville — the best months are July, August, September.

#	Trip	Miles away	Est. drive	Distance	Gain	Difficulty	Permit
1	Timber Gap Trail Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	36 mi	~40 min	9.7 mi	4,780 ft	32	Required
2	Black Rock Pass Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	36 mi	~40 min	13.7 mi	8,954 ft	54	Required
3	Monarch Lakes Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	36 mi	~40 min	7.1 mi	4,162 ft	30	Required
4	Cottonwood Pass to Chicken Spring Lake Inyo National Forest	54 mi	~61 min	15 mi	2,962 ft	30	Required
5	New Army Pass via Cottonwood Lakes Inyo National Forest	55 mi	~61 min	9.6 mi	3,596 ft	33	Required
6	Rae Lakes Loop Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	56 mi	~62 min	41.4 mi	7,047 ft	58	Required
7	Mount Whitney Trail Inyo National Forest	57 mi	~63 min	21.4 mi	6,460 ft	49	Required
8	North Lake–South Lake Loop Inyo National Forest	80 mi	~89 min	47.2 mi	9,320 ft	73	Required
9	Big Pine Lakes Inyo National Forest	80 mi	~89 min	13.5 mi	7,086 ft	46	Required
10	Sabrina Basin Inyo National Forest	82 mi	~92 min	8.5 mi	3,652 ft	30	Required
11	Little Lakes Valley Inyo National Forest	96 mi	~106 min	6.4 mi	1,242 ft	20	Required
12	Duck Pass to Duck Lake Inyo National Forest	102 mi	~113 min	9.5 mi	3,210 ft	28	Required

Best backpacking trips near Porterville, CA